Reclining chair and leg-rest



A ril 17, 1962 F. FpsCHLlEPHAcKE 3,030,143

RECLINING CHAIR AND LEG-REST Filed May 6, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 1' FIG.

INVENTOR. Fk/DTJOF E JCHL/EPHACKE AMJ L /v FTTQQIVEYS A ril 17, 1962 F.F. SCHLIEPHACKE 3,030,143

*RECLINING CHAIR AND LEG-REST Filed May 6, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 3.

W M an:

F G. 4. m INVENTOR.

FR/DTJOF E -SCHL/EPHACKE April 17, 1962 F. F. SCHLIEPHACKE 3,030,143

RECLINING CHAIR AND LEG-REST Filed May 6, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 5.

'// mam INVENTOR.

Fk/DZ/OF' If SCHL/EPHACKE April 17, 1962 F F. SCHLIEPHACKE 3,030,143

RECLINING CHAIR AND LEG-REST Filed May 6, 1959 4 Shee ts-Sheet 4INVENTOR. FQ/DT/OF .scm/s l-m c/zz atenteel Apr. 17, 1952 3,030,143RECMNENG CHAIR AND LEG-BREW Fridtjof F. Sehliephaelre,Berlin-Schmargendorf, Germany, assignor to Anton Lorenz, Boynton Beach,Fla. Filed May 6, 1959, Ser. No. 811,314 Claims. (Cl. 2&7-89) Thepresent invention relates generally to reclining chairs, and inparticular to an improved leg-rest mounting and controlling arrangementfor reclining chairs. This is a continuation-in-part of my earlier filedapplication Serial No. 689,729, filed October 11, 1957 and entitledLegrest Mechanism for Reclining Article of Furniture, which earlierfiled application is a continuation-in-part of my earlier filedapplication, Serial No. 651,709, filed April 9, 1957 and entitled Areclining Articleof Furniture, now U.S. Pat. No. 2,929,440 of March 22,1960.

The well known reclining chair comprises a support, body-supportingmeans including a back-rest and seat movably mounted on a support and aleg-rest disposed beneath the seat and mounted for movement into anelevated leg-supporting position. Provision is made for moving theleg-rest from beneath the seat into the elevated leg-supporting positionin response to the movement of the body-supporting means.

Broadly it is an object of the present invention to provide an improvedleg-rest mounting and controlling arrangement for a reclining chair.Specifically, it is within the contemplation of the present invention toprovide an improved and simplified leg-rest mounting and controllingarrangement which coordinates the elevation of the legrest to themovement of the body-supporting means. Advantageously, my improvedleg-rest control finds application in reclining chairs of the typeincorporating a movable back-rest and movable seat and reclining chairsof the type incorporating a unitary or rigid back-rest and seat.

In accordance with an illustrative embodiment demonstrating features ofthe present invention, my improved leg-rest mounting and controllingarrangement is employed in a reclining chair of the type which comprisesa support and body-supporting means having a seat and back-rest movablymounted on the support. The arrangement comprises a leg-rest, a firstdouble-arm lever pivotally mounted on the seat at a first pivotal mount,a second double arm lever pivotally mounted on one arm of the firstlever at a second pivotal mount, means operatively connecting one arm ofthe second lever to the leg-rest, a constraining link pivotallyconnected to the support and to the other arm of the second lever, andactuating means operatively connected to the body-supporting means andto the other arm of the first lever. In response to movement of thebody-supporting means relative to the support, the other arm of thefirst lever is swung through a forward arc whereby the one arm thereof,upon which the second double arm lever is pivotally mounted, swingsthrough a rearward are which is effective to elevate the leg-rest intovarious elevated leg-supporting positions in response to the movement ofthe body-supporting means relative to the support. In chairs of the typeincluding a unitary or rigid body-supporting unit, the actuating meansis controlled from any onvenient point of such body-supporting unit; andin chairs of the type including a movable seat and movable back-rest theactuating means is conveniently controlled from the back-rest.

The above brief description, as well as further objects, features andadvantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated byreference to the following detailed description of presently preferred,but illustrative embodiments according to the present invention, whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an improved reclining chairdemonstrating features of the present invention, the chair being shownin the upright or sitting position with the leg-rest in the stored orretracted position;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 1, but showing thechair in a tilted position, with the legrest in an elevatedleg-supporting position;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a further embodiment of recliningchair according to the present invention, with the chair shown in theupright or sitting position and the leg-rest shown in the stored orretracted position;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 3, but showing thereclining chair in a tilted resting position with the leg-rest in anelevated leg-supporting position;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a further embodiment demonstratingfurther features of the present invention, with the chair shown in theupright or sitting position and with the leg-rest shown in the retractedor stored position;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view similar to PEG. 5 but showing thechair in an intermediate tilted position, with the leg-rest in anelevated leg-supporting position;

FIG. 7' is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 5, but showing thechair in a fully reclined position;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a further embodiment of recliningchair demonstrating still further features of the present invention,shown in the upright or sitting position with the leg-rest in anelevated leg-supporting position; and,

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 8, but showing thechair in a reclined position.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, there is shown in FIGS. 1and 2 an improved reclining chair demonstrating features of the presentinvention, generally designated by the reference numeral ill, whichincludes a support or frame 12 having opposite sides 14 interconnectedby appropriate cross braces, the adjacent side of the chair having beenremoved for clarity to expose the operating linkages at such adjacentside of the chair. A rigid body-supporting unit 16 including a backrest18 and a seat 29 is mounted on support 12 for move ment relative to thesupport into various tilted resting positions, such as shown in FIG. 2.Specifically, the body-supporting unit 16 is mounted on the support 12by a four-bar supporting linkage which includes a front supporting link22 and a rear supporting lever 24- having upwardly and downwardlyextending arms 24a and 24b. The front supporting link has a pivotalmount 26 adjacent its lower end on the support and extends upwardly andforwardly, with a pivotal connection 28 at the upper end thereof to theseat 20 of the body-supporting unit 16. The rear supporting lever 24 hasa pivotal mount 27 intermediate its ends on the support, with the arm24a thereof extending upwardly and forwardly and having a pivotalconnection 30 to the seat at a point spaced to the rear of the pivotalconnection 28. The four-bar supporting linkage will be recognized asincluding as the stationary link thereof the portion of the supportintermediate the pivotal mounts 26, 27 with the link 22, the portion ofthe seat 26' intermediate the pivotal connections 28, 30 and the arm2411 serving as the movable links thereof.

Disposed beneath the forward end of the seat is a legrest 32 which ismovable from the stored or retracted position illustrated in FIG. 1 tothe elevated leg-supporting position illustrated in FIG. 2. The leg-restis mounted for movement relative to the support by a leg-rest mountingand control arrangement, generally designated by the reference numeral34, which includes a first carrier or double-arm lever 36 having anupwardly directed first arm 36a and a downwardly directed second arm36b. The double-arm lever 36 has a pivotal mount 38 on the seat whichpivotal mount is adapted to move in an upward and rearward arc inresponse to movement of the body-supporting unit 16 relative to thesupport 12. A second or mounting double-arm lever 43* is pivotallymounted on the first arm 36a of the lever 36 at a pivotal mount 42, withthe second double-arm lever 4% having an upwardly and rearwardlyprojecting arm 46:: and a downwardly projecting arm 48b. The pivotalmount 42 of the second double-arm lever 49 is movable relative to thesupport as a function of the movement of the bodysupporting unit 16 inrelation to the support and the turning movement of the lever 36 aboutpivotal mount 38 on the body-supporting unit 16.

The arm 40a of the mounting lever 49 is coupled to the support 12 by aconstraining link 44 which has a stationary pivotal mount 46 on thesupport at its lower end and a pivotal connection 48 at its upper end tothe arm Etta of the mounting lever 40 at a point spaced from the pivotalmount 42 thereof on the carrier lever 36.

The arm 49b of the mounting lever is coupled to the legrest 32 such thatin response to turning movement of the mounting lever 44 about itspivotal mount 42 and swin ing movement of the arm 46b through an upwardand forward arc, the leg-rest 32 is moved to an elevated legsupportingposition as the body-supporting unit 16 moves to a tilted restingposition. Specifically, a mounting arm or link 50 is provided which hasa pivotal mount or connection 52 to the seat 29 at a point spacedforwardly of the pivotal mount 38 ofthe lever 36 on the seat. Connectinglinks 53, 54 are provided which are'operatively connected to themounting arm or link 56, to the legrest 32 and .to :the arm 4% forcompleting the leg-rest mounting arrangement. Specifically, theconnecting link 53 has a pivotal connection 56 at its rearward end tothe arm 40b of the mounting lever 40, has a pivotal connection 58intermediate its ends to the mounting'arrn St at a cross-over pointrelative thereto, and has a pivotal connection 6 at its forward end tothe leg-rest 32. The

connecting link 54 has a pivotal connection 62 at its rearward end tothe lower end of the mounting arm 58 and has a pivotal connection 64 atits forward end tothe leg-rest at a point spaced from the pivotalconnection 69. The leg-rest mounting linkage will be recognized asproviding an extensible mount for the leg-rest wherein in response toturning movement of the lever 40/) and displacement of the pivotalconnection 56 towards the pivotal mount 52, there is a correspondingdisplacement of the pivotal connection 62 towards the connection 64 andextension and elevation of the leg-rest 32.

Actuating means are operatively connected to the bodysupporting unit 16and to the second arm 36b of the carrier lever 36 for swinging the arm36b through a forward arc whereby the arm 36a thereof moves through arearward arc, which movement occurs in response to rearward tiltingmovement of the body-supporting unit to such that the leg-rest 32 iselevated. In this embodiment, the actuating means includes the arm 24];of the supporting lever 24 which serves as a driver link coupled to thearm 36b by a connecting link 66 having a pivotal connection 63 at itsrearward end to the driver link 24b and a pivotal connection 70 at itsforward end to the arm 36b.

In order to facilitate a more thorough understanding of this embodimentof the invention, there will now be described a typical sequence ofoperations:

When the chair occupant is seated in the chair and leans against theback-rest 18 of the body-supporting unit '16, the bodysupporting unitmoves rearwardly and downwardly as a function of the design of thefour-bar supporting linkage. As the arm 24a pivots through a rearwardand downward are about the pivotal mount 27, the

arm 24b of the supporting lever 24 moves through a forward and upwardarc imparting a forward thrust to the connecting link 66 which causesthe first or mounting lever 36b to turn about its pivotal mount 38 onthe seat,

with the pivotal mount 38 moving through an'upward and rearward are as afunction of the design of the supporting linkage. The mounting lever 40which is supported on the carrier lever 36 and constrained by the link44 turns about its pivotal mount 42 on the arm 36a of the carrier lever36 which causes the extension of the leg rest 32. When the occupantdesires to restore the chair to the upright sitting position theoccupant merely presses against the leg-rest 32 which causes the chairto move from the tilted position shown in FIG. 2 to the upright sittingposition of FIG. 1.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is shown a furtherembodiment of reclining chair demonstrating features of the presentinvention, generally designated by the reference numeral 110, whichincludes a support or frame 112 having opposite sides 114 interconnectedby appropriate cross braces, the adjacent side of the chair having beenremoved for clarity to expose the operating linkages at such adjacentside of the chair. A rigid body-supporting unit 115 including aback-rest 113 and a seat is mounted on support 112 for movement relativeto the support into various tilted back resting positions, such as shownin FIG. 4. Specifically, the bodysupporting unit 116 is mounted on thesupport by a supporting linkage which includes a front supporting link122 and a rear supporting lever 124 having upwardly and downwardlyextending arms 124a and 12412. The front supporting link 122 has apivotal mount 126 adjacent its lower end on the support and extendsupwardly and rearwardly and has an operative connection to the seat 120of the body-supporting unit 116 via the double-arm lever 136. Thesupporting lever 124 has a pivotal mount 127 intermediate its ends onthe support with the arm 124a thereof extending upwardly and'having apivotal connection 130 to the seat adjacent the rear end thereof.

Disposed beneath the forward end of the seat is a legrest 32 which ismovable from the stored or retracted position illustrated in FIG. 3 tothe elevated leg-supporting position illustrated in FIG. 4. The leg-restis mounted for movement relative to the support by leg-rest mounting andcontrolling arrangement, generally designated by the reference numeral134, which includes the first or carrier double arm lever 136 having anupwardly directed first arm 136a and a downwardly directed second arm136b. The double-arm lever 136 has a pivotal mount 138 on the seat whichserves, via a pivotal connection 128 to the front supporting link 122,to complete the main supporting linkage. The pivotal mount is adapted tomove in an upward and rearward arc in response to movement of the bodysupporting unit 116 relative to the support 112. A second or mountingdouble arm lever 1 30 is pivotally mounted on the first arm 136a of thelever 136 at a pivotal mount 142, with the second double-arm lever 140having an upwardly and rearwardly projecting arm 140a and a downwardlyprojecting arm 14Gb. The pivotal mount 142 of the double arm mountinglever 14f is movable relative to the support as a function of themovement of the body-supporting unit 116 in relation to the support andthe turning movement of the lever 136 about its pivotal mount 138 on thebody-supporting unit 116.

The arm 140a of the mounting lever 140 is coupled to the support 112 bya constraining link 144 which has a stationary pivotal mount 146 on'thesupport at its lower end and a pivotal connection 148 at its upper endto the arm Mile of the mounting lever 140 at a point spaced from thepivotal mount142 thereof on the carrier lever 136. The arm 14Gb ofthemounting'lever'l ttl is coupled to the leg-rest 132 such that inresponse to turning movement of the mounting lever 140 about its pivotalmount 142 and swinging movement of the arm 14% through an upward andforward arc, the leg-rest 132 is moved to an elevated leg-supportingposition. Specifically, a mounting arm or link 150 is provided whichhasa pivotal mount or connection 152 to the seat 120 at a point spacedforwardly of the pivotal mount 138 of respectively.

the lever 136 on the seat. Connecting links 153, 154 are provided whichare operatively connected to the mounting arm or link 15%, to theleg-rest 132 and to the arm 14% for completing the mounting arrangement.Specifically, the connecting link 153 has a pivotal connection 156 atits rearward end to the arm 14Gb of the mounting lever 142, has apivotal connection 158 to the mounting arm 150 at a cross-over pointrelative thereto and has a pivotal connection 166 at its forward end tothe leg-rest 132. The connecting link 154 has a pivotal connection 162at its rearward end to the lower end of the mounting arm 150 and has apivotal connection 164 at its forward end to the leg-rest 132 at a pointspaced from the pivotal connection 166. The leg-rest mounting linkagewill be recognized as providing an extensible mount for the leg-rest 132wherein, in response to turning movement of the lever 14% anddisplacement to the pivotal connection 156 towards the pivotal mount152, there is a corresponding displacement of the pivotal connection 162towards the connection 264? and extension and elevation of the leg-rest132.

Actuating means are operatively connected to the bodysupporting unit 116and to the second arm 13611 of the carrier lever 136 for swinging thearm 3136b through a forward arc whereby the arm 136a thereof movesthrough a rearward are, which movement occurs in response to movement ofthe body-supporting unit 116. In this embodiment, the actuating meansincludes the arm 124!) of the supporting lever 124 which serves as adriver link coupled to the arm 3136b by a connecting link 166 having apivotal connection 168 at its rearward end to the driver link 12 1b anda pivotal connection 176 at its forward end to the arm 13615.

In order to facilitate a more thorough understanding of this embodimentof the invention, there will now be described a typical sequence ofoperations:

When the chair occupant is seated in the chair and leans against theback-rest 118 of the body-supporting unit 116, the body-supporting unitmoves rearwardly and downwardly as a function of the design of thesupporting linkage, which linkage includes the portion of the support112 intermediate the pivotal mounts 126, 127 as the stationary linkthereof and the link 122, the arm 136 intermediate the pivots 128, 138,the seat intermediate the pivots 138, 13th and the arm 124a of the lever124 as the movable links thereof. As the arm 124a pivots through arearward and downward are about the pivotal mount 127, the arm 1241; ofthe supporting lever 124 moves through a forward and upward areimparting a forward thrust to the connecting link 166 which causes thefirst or mounting lever 136b to turn about its pivotal mount 133 on theseat, with the pivotal mount 13% moving through an upward and rearwardare as a function of the design of the main supporting linkage. Themounting lever 14% which is supported on the carrier lever 136 andconstrained by the link 144 turns about its pivotal mount 142 on the arm136a of the carrier lever 136 which causes the extension of theleg-rest. When the occupant desires to restore the chair to the uprightsitting position, the occupant merely presses against the leg-rest 132which causes the chair to move from the tilted position shown in FIG. 4to the upright sitting position of FIG. 3.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. to,7 of the drawings, there is showna further embodiment of reclining chair according to the presentinvention, generally designated by the reference numeral 216, whichincludes a support or frame 212 having opposite sides 214 interconnectedby appropriate cross braces, the adjacent side of the chair having beenremoved for clarity to expose the operating linkages at such side of thechair.

In this embodiment, a body-supporting means including a back-rest 216and a seat 218 are movably mounted,

on the support 212 for reclining an inclining movement Specifically, theback-rest is pivotally mounted on the support at a back-rest pivot 220,with an extension 216a thereof depending below the back-rest pivot. Theseat 218 has secured thereto rearwardly directed hangers 222 which mountthe seat at a seat pivot 224 on the back-rest 216. The seat pivot 224 isspaced above the back-rest pivot 228 and is movable rearwardly anddownwardly in an are about the back-rest pivot 22% in response to chairmovement, as will subsequently be described.

Seat control means, generally designated by the reference numeral 226,are provided for inclining the seat 218 as a function of and in responseto the reclining movement of the back-rest 216. Specifically, the seatcontrol means includes a first or supporting link 228 having a pivotalmount 236 at its lower end on the support 212 and a second or seatcontrol link 232 having a control pivot 234 on the seat 218. The firstand second links 228 and 232 are disposed in converging relation, withthe link 228 extending upwardly and rearwardly from its pivotal mount236 and the link 232 extending rearwardly and downwardly from thecontrol connection 234, with the adjacent rearward ends of the links228, 232 being interconnected at a knee pivot 236. The links 228, 232will be recognized as providing a toggle linkage pair, with the toggleaction occurring as the knee pivot 236 moves towards an in-line positionwith respect to the pivots 230, 234 as more fully described in mycopending application Serial No. 811,315, filed May 6, i959 and entitledImproved Reclining Chair and Seat Control. In response to recliningmovement of the back-rest 216, the extension 216a via an actuating link238 will be effective which has a pivotal connection 240 at its rearwardend to the back-rest and a pivotal connection 242 at its forward end tothe link 228 to cause the control pivot 234 to move rearwardly andupwardly, with the seat pivot 224 moving rearwardly and downwardly suchthat a compound inclination is imparted to the seat 218.

Disposed below the forward end of the seat 218 is a leg-rest 244 whichis movable from a stored position (see FIG. 5) to various elevatedleg-supporting positions (see FIGS. 6 and 7). The leg-rest is movablymounted by a leg-rest mounting and controlling arrangement, generalydesignated by the reference numeral 245, which includes an integralextension of the link 232, designated by the reference numeral 246, theoppositely directed arms 232, 246 constituting a double-arm carrierlever having the control pivot 234 as a pivotal mount therefor. Aleg-rest mounting linkage is operatively connected to the arm orextension 246 and to the seat and includes a first link pair havingfirst and second mounting links 248, 250 and a second link pair havingfirst and second mounting links 252, 254. The first and second links248, 250 of the first link pair have their adjacent ends pivotallyconnected at a pivot 256, while the first and second links 252, 254 ofthe second link pair have their adjacent ends pivotally connected at apivot 258. The link 248 has a pivotal mount 266 on the seat adjacent theforward end thereof, while the link 252 has a pivotal mount 262 on theextension or rigid mounting arm 246 of the double arm carrier lever 246,232. The link 256 has a pivotal connection 264 at its forward end to theleg rest 244, while the link 254 has a pivotal connection 266 at a pointadjacent to and spaced rearwardly of its forward end to the leg-rest244, with the pivotal connection 266 being spaced from the pivotalconnection 264. The link pairs 248, 250 and 252, 254 are coordinated bya pivotal interconnection 265. The pivotal connection 264 is confinedwithin a slot or guideway 268 formed in the legrest 244, with thepivotal connection 264 being connected via a control link 270 to theextension of the link 254 forwardly of the pivotal connection 266 at afurther pivotal connection 272. The pivotal and slidable connection 264of the leg-rest mounting linkage to the leg-rest 244 and the controllink 276 and its pivotal connection 272 to the link 254 selves toproperly position the leg-rest with respect to the seat during recliningmovement as disclosed and claimed in my copending application, Ser. No.689,- 729, filed October 11,1956 and entitled Leg Rest Mechanism forReclining Article of'Furniture, now U.S. Pat. No. 2,929,440 of March'22, 1960.

The link 252 of the second link pair 252, 254 includes an integralprojection or arm 253 extending upwardly from the pivotal amount 262,with the arms 252, 253 together constituting a double-arm mountinglever. A constraining link 274 has a pivotal connection 276 at its upperend to the arm .253 and a pivotal mount 278 at its lower end to thesupport 212. During reclining movement, the constraining link 274 causesthe double-arm mounting lever 252, 253 of the leg-rest mounting linkageto turn on the pivotal mount 262, with the arm 253 moving in a clockwisedirection about the pivotal mount 262 as may be appreciated byprogressively inspecting FIGS. to 7 inclusive.

In order to close the gap between the leg-rest 244 and the forward endof the seat 218, there is provided a filler board 280 which is securedby bolts, rivets or the like 282 to the link 254 intermediate thepivotal connection 266, 265. The filler board 280 moves to a positionintermediate the seat 218 and the leg-rest 244 when the latter is movedto the leg-supporting position.

In order to facilitate a more thorough understanding of this embodimentof the invention, there will now be described a typical sequence ofoperations;

When the chair occupant is seated in the chair 218, and leans againstthe back-rest 216, the back-rest pivots around the .back-rest pivot 220,with the depending extension 216a swinging through an upward and forwardarc. The swinging movement of the extension 216a via the actuating orconnecting link 238 causes the toggle link pair 228, 232 to straighten,with the knee pivot 236 moving toward a position in a line with thepivot 230, 234. The link 228 constitutes the driver of the togglelinkage mechanism and is constrained to move in a rotary path about thepivotal mount 230 to exert an axial force on the link 232 whichconstitutes the connecting link of the toggle linkage. The rotary motionof the driver under control of the back-rest extension 216a is such thatthe effective lever arm (which is the perpendicular distance from theline of action of the connecting link 232 to the center of rotation ofthe driver link 228) is less when the driver link is in the intermediatetilted position of FIG. 6 than in the initial sitting position of FIG.5. The axial force produced in the connecting link 232 is transmitted tothe seat 218 which is subjected .to thetoggle effect with this toggleeffect occurring between the upright or sitting position illustrated inFIG. 5 and the intermediate tilted position shown in FIG. 6, with theintermediate tilted position occurring in advance .of the finalreclining position shown in FIG. 7. By employing this toggle effect, theseat 218 may be moved in relation to the back-rest in between theupright sitting position and the intermediate tilted position such thatthere is relatively no angular change in the relationship of theback-rest 216 and the seat 218, with the leg-rest 244 moving into andextended and elevated leg-supporting position. During the second phaseof the reclining movement very little inclining movement is imparted tothe seat by the seat control mechanism and accordingly the back-rest 216increases its angle relative to the seat 218, as may be appreciated byprogressively inspecting FIGS. 5 and 6. Insofar as the leg-rest controlis concerned, the uniform motion imparted to the toggle linkage pair228, 232 is effective during the first phase of the reclining movementto cause a relatively rapid elevation of the leg-rest until the pivots230, 236,, 234 of the toggle linkage approach the'in-line or dead centerposition. Accordingly, when the reclining chair moves into theintermediate tilted position shown in 'FIG. 6, the leg-rest issubstantially at its elevated leg-supporting position. As the in-line ordead center position of the toggle linkage is'approached,

the continued uniform motion imparted to the driver link 228 manifestsitself as a rapidly decreasing turning movement of the follower andaccordingly the leg-rest 244, when once elevated, remains in asubstantially fixed relation relative to the seat, with the anglebetween the seat 216 and the back-rest 218 opening up or increasing. Inthe final fully reclining position shown in FIG. 7 the leg-rest hasmoved up somewhat, with the seat and backrest angle opening up toestablish the requisite relationship therebetween for accommodating thechair occupant in a fully reclined position. When the chair occupantdesires to restore the chair to the upright sitting position, theoccupant merely presses against the leg-rest which causes the chair tomove through the successive positions, such as illustrated in FIG. 6, tothe upright sitting position of FIG. 5.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 8 and 9 of the drawings, there isshown a further reclining chair 310 according to the present inventionwhich includes a support or frame 312 having opposite sides 314interconnected by appropriate cross braces, the adjacent side of thechair having been removed for clarity to expose the operating linkagesat such side of the chair.

A body-supporting means including a back-rest 316 and a seat 318 aremovably mounted on the support 312 for reclining an inclining movementrespectively. Specifically, the back-rest is pivotally mounted on thesupport at a back-rest pivot 320, with an extension 316a thereofdepending below the back-rest pivot 320. The seat 318 has securedthereto rearwardly directed hangers 322 which mount the seat at a seatpivot 324 on the backrest 3.16. The seat pivot 324 is spaced above thebackrest pivot 32%) and is movable rearwardly and downwardly in an areabout the back-rest pivot 320 in response to chair movement, as willsubsequently be described.

Seat control means, generally designated by the reference numeral 326,are provided for inclining the seat 313 as a function of and in responseto the reclining movement of the back-rest 316. Specifically, the seatcontrol means includes a first or supporting link 328 having a pivotalmount330 at its lower end on the support 112 and a second or seatcontrol link 332 having a control pivot 334 on the seat 318. The lowerend of the seat control link 332 is connected to the supporting link 328at a pivot 336 spaced above the pivotal mount 330. The linkage pair 328,332 is actuated from an actuating or connecting link 338 having apivotal connection 340 at its rearward end to the depending extension316a of the back-rest 316 at a point spaced below the back-rest pivot320 and a pivotal connection at its forward end to the supporting link328 coaxially with the pivot 336. Link 328, link 332 intermediate pivots336, 334, the portion of the seat 318 intermediate the control pivot 334and the seat pivot 324, the portion of the back-rest intermediate theseat pivot 324 and the back-rest pivot 320, all serve as movable linksof the seat control means, with theportion of the support 312intermediate the backrest pivot 329 and the pivotal mount 330 serve asthe stationary link thereof. In response to reclining movement of theback-rest 316, the .extension 316a via the actuating link 338 will beeffective to cause the pivot 334 to move rearwardly and upwardly, withthe seat pivot 324 moving rearwardly and downwardly such that a compoundinclination is imparted to the seat 318 in accordance with theproportions of the seat control linkage.

Disposed below the forward end of the seat 318 is a leg-rest 344 whichis movable from a stored position (see FIG. 8) to various elevatedleg-supporting positions (see FIG. 9). The leg-rest .344 is movablymounted by a legrest mounting and controlling arrangement, generallydesignated by the reference numeral 345. The leg-rest mounting andcontrol arrangement 345 includes a legrest mounting linkage operativelyconnected'to the doublearm carrier lever 346, 332 and the support 312and includes a first link pair having first and second mounting links348, 353 and a second link pairhaving first and second mounting links352, 354. The first and second links 348, 359 of the first link pairhave their adjacent ends pivotally connected at the pivot 356 while thefirst and second links 352, 354 of the second link pair have theiradjacent ends pivotally connected at a pivot 358. The link 348 has apivotal mount 36%) on the support 312, while the link 352 has an arm orextension 353 to provide a double-arm mounting lever having a pivotalmount 362 on the arm 346 of the carrier lever 346, 332. The link 350 hasa pivotal connection 364 at its forward end to the leg-rest 344, whilethe link 354 has a pivotal connection 366 at its forward end to theleg-rest 344, with the pivot 364 being confined in a slot 368 asaforesaid and with a control link 370 connected thereto and to the link354 at a pivotal connection 372 forwardly of the pivotal connection 366.The link pairs 348, 350 and 352, 354 are coordinated at a pivotalinterconnection 365, with the link 354 carrying a filler board 380.

The arm 353 is operatively connected to a constraining link 374 whichhas a pivotal connection 376 at its upper end to the arm 353 and apivotal mount 378 at its lower end on the support 312. During recliningmovement the constraining link 374 causes the arm 253 of the leg-restmounting linkage to turn on the pivotal mount 362, with the arm 352moving in a clockwise direction about the pivotal mount 362 and thepivotal mount translating upwardly and rearwardly as may be appreciatedby progressively inspecting FIGS. 8 and 9.

In order to facilitate a more thorough understanding of this embodimentof the invention, there will now be described a typical sequence ofoperations:

When the chair occupant is seated in the chair 310, and leans againstthe back-rest 316, the back-rest pivots about the back-rest pivot 320,with the depending extension 316a swinging through an upward and forwardarc. The swinging movement of the extension 316a via the actuating orconnecting link 333 causes the supporting link 328 to swing about itspivotal mount 33th on the support 312. As the supporting link 328 swingsin the counter clockwise direction, as shown in FIG. 9, the seat controllink 332 is effective to cause the seat control pivot 334 to swingthrough an upward and rearward are as the seat 318 moves rearwardlyunder the control of the backrest, with the seat pivot 324 swingingthrough a rearward and downward are about the back-rest pivot 320.Further, as the supporting link 328 swings through the forward arc, theleg-rest mounting linkage is actuated via the carrier lever 346, 332 andthe mounting lever 352, 353 as aforesaid to move the leg-rest 344 to anelevated leg-supporting position.

. A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in theforegoing disclosure and in some instances some features of theinvention will be employed without a corresponding use of otherfeatures. Accordingly it is appropriate that the appended claims beconstrued broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scopeof the invention herein.

I claim:

1. In a reclining chair of the type including a support, body-supportingmeans including a seat and back-rest movably mounted on said support,the improvement comprising a leg-rest, a carrier lever pivotally mountedon said seat intermediate its ends and having two arms, linkage meansmounting said leg-rest for movement from a stored position to anelevated leg-supporting position, said linkage means including amounting lever pivotally supported intermediate its ends on one arm ofsaid carrier lever, a constraining link, means pivotally connecting saidconstraining link to one arm of said mounting lever,

operatively connected to said body-supporting means and to the other armof said carrier lever.

2. In a reclining chair of the type including a support, body-supportingmeans including a seat and back-rest movably mounted on said support,the improvement comprising a leg-rest, a carrier lever pivotally mountedon said seat intermediate its ends and having upwardly and downwardlyextending arms, linkage means mounting said leg rest for movement from astored position to an elevated leg-supporting position, said linkagemeans including a mounting lever pivotally supported intermediate itsends on said upwardly extending arm of said carrier lever, aconstraining link, mean pivotally connecting said constraining link toone arm of said mounting lever, means pivotally connecting saidconstraining link to said support, means pivotally connecting the otherarm of said mounting lever to said leg-rest, and actuating meansoperatively connected to said body-supporting means and to saiddownwardly extending arm of said carrier lever.

3. In a reclining chair of the type including a support, body-supportingmeans including a seat and back-rest movably mounted on said support,the improvement comprising a leg-rest, a carrier link pivotally mountedon said seat intermediate its ends and having first and second arms,linkage means mounting said leg-rest for movement from a stored positionto an elevated leg-supporting position, said linkage means including amounting lever pivotally supported on said first arm of said carrierlink, means pivotally connecting one arm of said mounting lever to saidleg-rest, a constraining link, means pivotally connecting saidconstraining link to the other arm of said mounting lever, meanspivotally connecting said constraining link to said support, andactuating means operatively connected to said body-supporting means andto said second arm of said carrier link.

4. In a reclining chair, a support, a body-supporting unit including aseat and back-rest rigid with each other and movably mounted on saidsupport, a leg-rest, a carrier link pivotally mounted on said seatintermediate its ends and having first and second arms, linkage meansmounting said leg-rest for movement from a stored position to anelevated leg-supporting position, said linkage means including amounting lever pivotally supported on said first arm of said carrierlink, means pivotally connecting one arm of said mounting lever to saidleg-rest, a constraining link, means pivotally connecting saidconstraining link to the other arm of said mounting lever, meanspivotally connecting said constraining link to said support, andactuating means operatively connected to said body-supporting unit andto said second arm of said carrier link. i

5. In a reclining chair, a support, body-supporting means having a seatand back-rest movably mounted on said support, a leg-rest, a firstdouble-arm lever pivotally mounted on said seat at a first pivotal mountand having two arms, a second double-arm lever pivotally mounted on onearm of said first lever at a second pivotal mount and having first andsecond arms, a constraining link pivotally connected to said support andto one arm of said second lever at a point spaced from said secondpivotal mount, a mounting arm, means pivotally mounting said arm on saidchair at a point spaced forwardly of said first and second pivotalmounts, linkage means operatively connected to said mounting arm, saidleg-rest and the other arm of said. second lever, and actuating meansoperatively connected to said body-supporting means and to the other armof said first lever for swinging said other arm of said first leverthrough a forward arc whereby said one arm thereof moves through arearward arc to elevate said leg-rest.

6. An improved leg-rest mounting and controlling arrangement for areclining chair of the type including a support and body-supportingmeans having a seat and back-rest movably mounted on said support, saidarrange ment comprising a leg-rest, a first double-arm lever pivotallymounted on said seat at a first pivotal mount, a-second double-arm leverpivotally mounted on one arm of said first lever at a second pivotalmount, means operatively connecting one arm of said second lever to saiddeg-rest, a constraining link pivotally connected to said support and tothe other arm of said second lever at a pivotal connection spaced fromsaid second pivotal mount, and actuating means operatively connectedtosaid body-supporting means and to the other arm of said first lever forswinging said other arm through a forward arc whereby said one armthereof moves through a rearward arc to elevate said leg-rest.

7. An improved leg-rest mounting and controlling arrangement for areclining chair of the type including a support and body-supportingmeans having a seat and back-rest movably mounted on said support, saidarrangement comprising a leg-rest, a first double-arm lever pivotallymounted on said-seatat a first pivotal mount and having an upwardlydirected first arm and a downwardly directed second arm, a seconddouble-arm lever pivotally mounted on said first arm of said first leverat a second pivotal mount, means operatively connecting one arm oi saidsecond lever to said leg-rest, a constraining link pivotally connectedto saidsupport and to the other arm of said second lever at a :pivotalconnection spaced from said second pivotal mount, and actuating meansoperatively connected to said body-supporting means and to said secondarm of said first lever for swinging-said second arm through a forwardarc whereby said first arm thereof moves through a rearward arc toelevate said legrest.

8. An improved leg-rest mounting and controlling arrangement for areclining chair of the type including support and bodysupporting meanshaving a seat and backrest movably mounted on said support, saidarrangement comprising a leg-rest, a first double-arm lever pivotallymounted on said seat at a first pivotal mount and having an upwardlydirected first arm and a downwardly directed second arm, a seconddouble-arm lever pivotally mounted on said first arm of said first leverat a second pivotal mount and having an upwardly directed first arm anda downwardly directed second arm, a constraining link pivotallyconnected to said support and to said first arm of said second lever ata point spaced from said second pivotal mount, a mounting arm, meanspivotally mounting said arm on said chair at a point spaced forwardly ofsaid first and second pivotal mounts, linkage means operativelyconnected to said mounting arm, said leg-rest and second arm of saidsecond lever, and actuatingrneans operatively connected to saidbody-supporting means and to said second arm of said first lever forswingingsaid second arm of said first lever through a forward arcwhereby said first arm thereof moves through a rearward arc to elevatesaid leg-rest.

9. An improved leg-rest mounting and controlling arrangement for areclining chair of the type including a support and body-supportingmeans having a seat and back-rest movably mounted onsaid support, saidarrangement comprising a leg-rest, a first double-arm lever pivotallymounted on said seat at a first pivotal mount and having an upwardlydirected first arm and a downwardly directed second arm, a seconddouble-arm lever 'pivotally mounted on said first arm of said firstlever at a second pivotal mount and having an upwardly directed firstarm and a downwardly directed second arm, a constraining link pivotallyconnected to said support and to said first arm of said second lever ata point spaced from said second pivotal mount, a mounting arm, meanspivotally mounting said arm on said seat at a point spaced forwardly ofsaid first and second pivotal mounts, linkage means operativelyconnected to said mounting arm, said leg-rest and second arm of secondlever, and actuating means operatively connected to said body-supportingmeans and to said second arm .of said first lever for swinging saidsecond arm of said first lever through a forward arc whereby said firstarm thereof moves through a rearward arc to elevate said leg-rest.

10. An improved leg-rest mounting and controlling arrangement for areclining chair of the type including a support-and body-supportingmeans having a seat and back-rest movably mounted on said support, saidarrangement comprising a leg-rest, a first double-arm lever pivotallymounted on said seat at a first pivotal mount and having an upwardlydirected first arm and a downwardly directed second arm, a seconddouble-arm lever pivotally mounted on said first arm of-said first leverat a second pivotal mount and having anupwa-rdlydirected first arm and adownwardly directed second arm, a constraining link pivotallyconneotedto said support and .to said first arm of said secondilever atapoint-spaced-from said second pivotal mount, a mounting arm, meanspivotally mounting said arm on said support at a point spaced forwardlyof said firstand second-pivotal mounts, linkage means-opcrativelyconnected to said mountingarm, said leg-rest and'second arm of saidsecond lever, and actuating means operatively connected to said'bodysupporting means and to said second arm said first-lever forswinging-said second arm ofsaid first lever through a forward arcwhereby said first arm thereof moves through a rearwardarc to elevatesaid leg-rest.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,664,942 Spear Jan. 5, 1954 2,693,845 Hofifrnan Nov. 9, 1954 2,849,052Schliephacke Aug. 26, 1958 2,853,120 Bank et a1. Sept. 23, 19582,871,919 Schliephacke Feb. 3, 1959 2,880,784 Navelle et al Apr. 7, 19592,884,990 Bank et a1. May 5, 1959 2,893,472 Repaich July 7, 19592,897,877 Krikorian Aug. 4, 1959

